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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Remembering Doc

The following is a reprint/re-post of the blog from back in
March when WUMB was celebrating Doc’s 89th birthday. Sadly, as
you’ve probably heard, he will not make it to his 90th. Stay tuned
all day for our ongoing musical tributes to the man who was one of the
pre-eminent folk/country flatpicking geniuses of all time.

-My youngest brother is a worldly type; born and raised in
the Midwest, schooled in the deep south, and found his calling here in New
England, eventually leading to gainful employment in such exotic places as
London, England and Luxemburg. Which, in turn, has opened many a door for him
both travel-wise (he regularly drives from country to country) as well as land
him, shall we say, many friends and girlfriends from afar.

-Long story short: my dear Mom was celebrating her 80th in Kentucky a few years back, and my
aforementioned brother wanted to show off his (then) girlfriend from Yugoslavia.
Pleasant and unassuming, I couldn’t help but notice that she insisted on
parading around with a beat-up old boombox, listening to nothing but…Doc
Watson! On cassette no less!

-Obvious point being…the man’s music is and always has
been…universal! Knows no boundaries!

-You’ve no doubt heard the story…Folkways records his family
& friends in 1960 after having played in various incarnations for 20 or so
years, he debuts at Gerde’s in NY in late ’62, then on to Newport, his crowning
achievement being his flatpicking contributions to the groundbreaking Will the
Circle Be Unbroken in the early 70’s. Despite being middle age when he was
‘discovered’, Doc continues to be active to this day, hosting the annual
MerleFest music festival in honor of his late (also very talented) son Merle.

-Doc passed away quietly yesterday (5/29) leaving behind an
unparalleled catalogue ofmusics of all
genres; join us as we pay homage to a man who’s contributions have entertained
us for 50+ years, not to mention all the years to come.

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About Me

As a public service of UMass Boston, WUMB Radio is dedicated to produce, acquire, and disseminate high quality, diverse and valued public service radio programming to significant audiences. The radio station is committed to serving as a local and national resource for the cultivation, promotion and preservation of various genres of folk music through its radio programming and selected enterprises